Mistaken Identity

Usual disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play, will put them back when I'm done!
PT.1

Walking across Front Street, wiping the sweat from his face and neck. This was the hottest August he could remember, and the day was just beginning he thought.

Sam had stepped up on the Boardwalk, to open the Long Branch, when he stopped, surprised. The doors were already open. Entering thru the batwing doors, only to see Kitty stacking up boxes. "Miss Kitty?" He said with question in his voice.

Looking up at him with a cheerful smile, "Good morning, Sam."

"Miss Kitty? I… I …"

Tilting her head, "What, Sam? What is it?"

"Oh, nothing. Just surprised to see you down."

Smiling at him, "Oh, that. Well, didn't sleep much, so I decided to get all these things together for Caroline and the children."

Caroline was a woman Kitty befriended a few years earlier, she was a farmer's wife who had six young children, all boys, and recently widowed.

Sam just continued to wipe the dampness from his face, smiling at his boss. He had known her to, over the years, be the first to try and help the families of Dodge when they were in need. And Caroline Weller sure was one of those in need now.

Sam, without waiting to be asked, began loading up the back of Kitty's buggy, securing them for the ride out across the prairie.

She was standing holding some of the things, as Sam secured them, several cowboys had entered.

"Morning, Miss Kitty, Sam."

"Kind'a early, even for you boys." Kitty said teasing.

Slapping the back of the man beside him, "Well, Miss Kitty, wasn't gonna let this here slick sodbuster get away with all my money. Can't do that now can I? Gotta win it back and sides, gotta see the prettiest gal in Dodge."

"Come on in. I'll get you the cards, but sorry, Bud, I won't be here to watch the torture."

As she was standing on the boardwalk, two more men walked up. They were ranchers. One had been there the night before in the game, the other, he was new. She had seen him a few days before talking to Matt, just before he left town to chase after a bank robber. Matt said his name was Jay Sheridan. He was a wealthy rancher that had that spread from a family member. He had a wife, Elizabeth, and their three sons.

"Well now, Little Filly, looks like my cowhands were right." Quickly scooping her up in his arms, spinning her and laughing. You are the prettiest gal in this here town."

Pushing off of him, "Well, thank you, Tiger." She said sarcastically. "Gents, enjoy your game. Sam. I should be back by the night time crowd."

It usually took most of the day when Kitty would ride out to the Weller farm, or even to the Ronniger's. She figured on stopping in and visiting with Bess as well. Some of the things she packed, would go to Will and Bess. Will had been laid up with a broken leg, so it made work difficult with just the boys doing chores.

As Kitty pulled away, Jay Sheridan yelled out, You be careful, Darlin'." As two other sets of eyes looked on.

Jay and Elizabeth Sheridan had been married for eighteen years. Ranching was in his blood and this ranch was left to them by Elizabeth's uncle, her being the only surviving relative. It was perfect since their pervious ranch had burned down during a twister, or so they thought.

Kitty made her way across the prairie. As she rode, she had to pass by the south side of the Sheridan property, coming across three boys. As they approached closer, "Morning, Ma'am." The oldest spoke up.

"Well now, morning, boys."

"Excuse me, Ma'am. Are you lost?"

Furrowing her brow. "No, I'm not. I'm just on my way to visit some friends just up over the hill.

The second boy now spoke up, "Oh, you mean the Weller's."

Nodding, "Yes. Mrs. Weller is a friend."

"Well, Ma'am, we could escort you if you'd like. Pa always says we should take good care of the women folk." All three boys were now surrounding her.

"Oh, now that won't be necessary. But I thank you very much."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Kitty reached up and cupped the boys face in her hands. "You look familiar."

"Name's Sheridan, Ma'am. I'm Conner, this here is Jay Jr. and that there is Joe. We're brothers."

Kitty was smiling at them, thinking how adorably cute and sweet they were.

"We're new in these parts. Pa's a rancher."

"Well then, welcome to Dodge! If you come to town with your Pa and Ma, I'll see you there. I live in Dodge. Name's Kitty. Kitty Russell."

The youngest just stared at Kitty, like he was fascinated.

"Well, boys, I'd best be on my way. It was a pleasure to meet such fine young men as yourselves."

"Bye, Miss Russell." The three said in unison.

"Bye, boys." Then she continued her ride up over the hill and out of sight.

As she entered the Weller property, all the children were outside doing different chores. When they saw her coming, "Ma! Ma! It's Miss Russell. Hurry, Ma!" They all crowded around her.

"Well, hello, boys! You sure look like you're working real hard."

Matter of factly, they said, "Oh, yes, Ma'am. We are. Ma needs us now since Pa..." Then he went silent.

Lifting his chin with her fingers, "I'm sure your Pa would be very proud of all you boys for looking out after your Ma."

Just then Caroline came from the house. "Oh, Kitty! It's good to see you. But you need'ent ride all this way in this awful heat."

"Caroline, it's no problem. Keeps me busy and not worrying about..." She stopped before finishing, looking around. "Maybe you boys can bring these things in for your Ma. Huh?"

They scrambled around Kitty as she handed them the boxes she had for them. "Now, Frankie, watch that one there. It has glass in it."

As Caroline went thru the boxes that Kitty brought, lowering her eyes, "Ahhh, Kitty, you shouldn't have done this. I can't afford…"

"No! No! Caroline, you don't owe me anything. These were just some things I had and, well, sometimes I shop too much. Matt will tell you."

Now the two were chuckling. "Oh, and I suppose you buy too many boys pants and shirts? Huh?"

"Look, that's what friends are for." Patting her hands.

"Oh, Kitty. Thank you. You have no idea what a help this is. Bess Ronniger warned me about you and what you do for folks in Dodge. You'll let me repay you some way?"

"Caroline, you just continue to be a wonderful mother. That's all the thanks I need and someday you'll help someone else."

Caroline made them coffee as she filled Kitty in on what she had been doing now that Frank Senior was dead.

Long Branch

The men from that morning had started a game, most of them were from the night before. The game went on for hours. Jay Sheridan was cleaning most of them out. This wasn't making for very happy cowboys. Two were extremely upset. One started at Jay. "You money bag ranchers think you can throw your money around and control everything you touch."

"Now, son, if your not big enough to sit in this game, maybe you should tuck your tail between your legs and run." Now laughing at them.

Angrier, standing to storm off, yelling as they left, "You best have eyes behind you. Watch your back! Just watch your back!"

After they left, Sheridan looked at Sam. "Sam, my man. Refills over here, won't ya?"

"Coming right up, Mister Sheridan." Sam answered.
TBC